MANUAL OR ELECTRONIC TOOTH BRUSH?

     Manual or Electronic tooth brush- which one is better?

   As we know there are 2 types of brushes one is manual, which we use with our hands to clean the teeth. Other is electronic tooth brush which works on battery and runs automatically to clean the teeth.

Occasionally, patients inquire as to which type of tooth brush is best? Manual tooth brush still can do a great job, choosing a right manual brush and brushing with appropriate technique still works best.
Some may claim that an electric tooth brush does a better job of cleaning your teeth than a standard tooth brush.
As long as you are able to reduce plaque build up and keep your gums healthy you can choose either of them. Lets compare both these brushes under these points :

BRISTLES - If you buy a manual brush or an electric tooth brush, you should always choose a soft bristled brush. In electric tooth brush there is a replacement head, which you have to change as you change your manual tooth brush. So comparing the cost of changing the brush every 3-4 months,electronic tooth brush will be heavy on your pockets.

FUNCTION - Manual tooth brush has been functioning well till date, as long as you use it properly. Manual tooth brush works according to us so it can have error and lack in performance.
Electronic tooth brush has a unique shape, which resembles a dental tool, oscillating, rotating and pulsating to clean the teeth. It has no manual errors. This brush is useful to everyone but especially for those who are physically disabled, old age people, arthritis patients and patients with lack of co-ordination of brain and hands, such people who cannot use their hands properly to brush by themselves, so electronic tooth brush can do the work.

COST - A normal toothbrush is much more affordable than electric one. Electronic tooth brush cost many more times than manual toothbrush. In addition to initial expense, you need to replace the removable head of the electronic tooth brush as often as you replace your normal brush [in 3-4 months] but if an electronic tooth brush helps you keep your teeth clean more effectively, then you make up the expenses of your dental bills.

LIKABILITY - When it comes to your personal choice, the best tooth brush for you is going to be the one you are most likely to use and use well. Some people may not like the vibrating sensation of electronic brush, while others may find it easy to use. Also some electric brush have a built in timer to keep a check on your brushing time, is added advantage.

EFFECTIVENESS - Among all the studies conducted, to find whether a manual tooth brush or an electronic tooth brush are more effective in removing plaque, found that, overall there was not a significant difference between both these brushes in their ability of cleaning teeth and preventing gum disease. But certain type of electronic tooth brush with rotation oscillation is more effective than manual tooth brush, plus it also has certain advantages which a manual brush do not have.

Electronic tooth brush would be more opt for children who are careless in brushing and find brushing their teeth a boring task, also for child with difficulty in brushing. As many children do not find brushing teeth interesting and tend to avoid it, an electronic brush will engage them in interest and the child will clean teeth with excitement.

Keeping these points in mind you can choose the brush of your choice. May be manual or electronic, but important is to keep brushing, for healthy teeth and gums any how.

                HAVE A HEALTHY SMILE.

THANK-YOU
REGARDS: Dr. MITALI PATEL